Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations

A special issue of Vibration (ISSN 2571-631X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 6116

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Construct-FEUP, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: railway infrastructure engineering; railway track dynamics; soil dynamics; ground-borne noise and vibrations; soil-structure interaction
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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: soil-structure interaction; compuational mechanics; acoustic; railway dynamics; meshless methods; surrogate models

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: ground borne vibrations; soil-structure interaction; vibrations induced by traffic; vibrations induced by pile driving

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The management of densely populated urban areas, their mobility, and the need to prevent climate changes are major societal challenges that justify the extensive expansion of railway projects in modern cities. Although the benefits (economic, social, and environmental) inherent to rail transport are evident, their exploration raises environmental concerns due to the generation and propagation of vibrations that affect the comfort and life quality of the inhabitants in railway surroundings.

The expansion and improvement of the railway network require the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impact induced by implementing such infrastructures on nearby structures and receivers. Thus, the main purpose of the present Special Issue is to systematize recent advances in the prediction of vibrations induced by railway traffic, to evaluate the effectiveness of applicable mitigation techniques, and present interesting experimental and numerical cases studies.

This Special Issue covers multiple topics related to the prediction and control vibrations induced by railway traffic, including the following:

  • Reliable prediction methodologies involving different types of models (numerical, analytical, and empirical tools as well as data mining and intelligent prediction approaches);
  • Numerical and/or experimental studies conducted in order to discern the main sources of uncertainty in the system;
  • The performance evaluation of conventional and innovative mitigation measures;
  • Discussions about the key parameters of the railway system for prediction purposes;
  • The identification of performance indicators for the system;
  • Ultra-low levels of vibration for laboratory facilities.

Attention will be particularly given to prediction models that can be applied by end users, providing considerable value for engineering practitioners. This Special Issue welcomes the submission of new research, case studies, projects, reviews, and state-of-the-art discussions within these topics.

Dr. Aires Colaço
Dr. Hassan Liravi
Dr. Pedro Alves Costa
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • railway dynamics
  • noise and vibrations
  • prediction approaches
  • mitigation measures
  • comfort and life quality

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 4119 KB  
Article
Vibration Mitigation Through Rail Track Design for Structures Built Directly Above a Double-Deck Railway Depot
by Xiaohan Phrain Gu, Anbin Wang and Hongdong Huang
Vibration 2025, 8(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040079 - 15 Dec 2025
Viewed by 127
Abstract
This paper reviews, analyses, and suggests practical mitigation techniques at source for reducing vibration-induced annoyance to occupants in building structures that are built on top of significant railway infrastructure. The dynamic characteristics of vibration caused by wheel-rail interaction at metro train depots are [...] Read more.
This paper reviews, analyses, and suggests practical mitigation techniques at source for reducing vibration-induced annoyance to occupants in building structures that are built on top of significant railway infrastructure. The dynamic characteristics of vibration caused by wheel-rail interaction at metro train depots are different from those on main-lines and conventional studies. Ground-borne vibration in a building directly above a double-deck railway depot was investigated, focusing on vibration attenuation through rail track design, which is more effective and economic compared to treatments at receivers or along prorogation paths. A 2.5-Dimensional finite element model was established to simulate vibration transmission using different combinations of track-forms. Source contribution under different train running conditions has been evaluated by computing vibration levels along the main transmission path. Vibration levels at representative positions in the building rooms have been predicted using the numerical model and have been compared against site measurements at the corresponding locations after the completion of the construction of the depot and buildings. It was found that the 2.5D FE model enables a reasonable prediction of ground-borne vibration from the metro depot, and that by appropriate design of the track-form, a good level of vibration attenuation can be achieved in an economical way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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17 pages, 6575 KB  
Article
Wind Load Distribution Characteristics of a Semi-Enclosed Sound Barrier at the Junction of a Single-Track Bridge and Three-Track Bridge of a High-Speed Railway
by Botao Li, Yinhui Bao, Guoqing Hu and Xun Zhang
Vibration 2025, 8(4), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040075 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Due to its effective noise reduction, the semi-enclosed noise barrier is increasingly being applied in the construction of high-speed railways. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on the wind load distribution characteristics under natural crosswind, especially for the complex aerodynamic [...] Read more.
Due to its effective noise reduction, the semi-enclosed noise barrier is increasingly being applied in the construction of high-speed railways. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on the wind load distribution characteristics under natural crosswind, especially for the complex aerodynamic behavior of the intersection section of multi-line bridges. Therefore, the wind load distribution characteristics on the surface of the sound barrier under crosswind conditions are explored within the engineering context of a semi-enclosed acoustic barrier at the junction of a single-track bridge and a three-track bridge, using a combination of wind tunnel testing and numerical simulation. A rigid-body model with a geometric scale of 1:10 is established for the wind tunnel test. The wind load distribution characteristics of the two acoustic barriers are analyzed from the perspectives of mean wind pressure, pulsating wind pressure, and extreme wind pressure, respectively. FLUENT 2022 software is utilized to model the flow field characteristics of the sound barrier under two working conditions: windward and leeward. The results show that under the action of crosswind, the surface wind load of the sound barrier at the junction of the single/three-line bridge is very prominent, the maximum negative pressure shape coefficient is −4.516, and its distribution is dominated by negative pressure; that is, the sound barrier mainly bears suction. Compared with the semi-closed sound barrier on the single-track bridge, the extreme wind pressure at the semi-closed sound barrier on the three-track bridge and the junction of the two is more significant, which shows that this kind of area needs special attention in wind-resistant design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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16 pages, 26757 KB  
Article
Time–Frequency Analysis of Railway Bridges Forced and Free Vibrations Identified by Wavelet Transform
by Pedro Galvín, Antonio Romero, Mario Solís, Emma Moliner and María Dolores Martínez-Rodrigo
Vibration 2025, 8(4), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040071 - 6 Nov 2025
Viewed by 500
Abstract
In this work, a time–frequency analysis of two railway bridges included in the InBridge4EU project database is presented. The study focuses on the identification of modal parameters from free responses after train passages and their comparison with estimations obtained from ambient vibration data. [...] Read more.
In this work, a time–frequency analysis of two railway bridges included in the InBridge4EU project database is presented. The study focuses on the identification of modal parameters from free responses after train passages and their comparison with estimations obtained from ambient vibration data. The wavelet transform is introduced as a valuable tool for detecting both free and forced bridge responses due to different train passages, as well as for conducting time–frequency analysis. This approach is particularly relevant for the identification of structural damping, given its dependence on vibration amplitude, as it enables the estimation of realistic values representative of bridge behavior under operational conditions. Additionally, the paper examines the complementary use of free vibrations for identifying natural frequencies and comparing them with results from ambient vibration tests. Wavelet analysis further reveals the predominant frequencies in the structural response before, during, and after train crossings, thereby capturing the influence of the moving vehicle on bridge dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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15 pages, 7276 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of Dynamic Vibration Absorber on Ground-Borne Vibration Induced by Metro
by Javad Sadeghi, Alireza Toloukian and Sogand Mehravar
Vibration 2025, 8(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040062 - 5 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 708
Abstract
The application of dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) is a countermeasure to suppress vibrations induced by railway traffic. A key advantage of the DVA application is that it does not require any changes to the path of vibration propagation or the receiver of vibration. [...] Read more.
The application of dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) is a countermeasure to suppress vibrations induced by railway traffic. A key advantage of the DVA application is that it does not require any changes to the path of vibration propagation or the receiver of vibration. A review of the literature reveals the necessity of deriving the optimum properties of DVA to mitigate railway vibrations. To this end, the optimum DVA properties were investigated through the development of a two-dimensional finite element model of the track-tunnel-soil system. The model was validated using the results of a field test. A parametric study was made to obtain the optimum properties of DVA for different soils surrounding the tunnel. The results of the model analysis indicate that the DVA has better vibration reduction for metro tunnels built in soft soils as compared to those surrounded by medium and stiff soils. Also, the results disclose that the DVA reduces vibration radiated on the ground surface when the DVA natural frequency is tuned to a low frequency. Using the results of the parametric study, graphs are suggested to select the optimum properties of the DVA as a function of the soil around the tunnel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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18 pages, 4484 KB  
Article
Feasibility Analysis of Monitoring Contact Wire Rupture in High-Speed Catenary Systems
by Andrea Collina, Antonietta Lo Conte and Giuseppe Bucca
Vibration 2025, 8(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8020022 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 1943
Abstract
The rupture of the contact wire (CW) of a railway overhead contact line (OCL or catenary) is expected to be a rare event. However, when it occurs, and a pantograph transits under the already broken section of the CW, this can have catastrophic [...] Read more.
The rupture of the contact wire (CW) of a railway overhead contact line (OCL or catenary) is expected to be a rare event. However, when it occurs, and a pantograph transits under the already broken section of the CW, this can have catastrophic consequences for the pantograph which in turn can cause a further extension of the damaged portion on the OCL with a consequent disruption in the service and cause there to be a long time before the operating condition can be restored. Therefore, the prevention of such events through effective catenary monitoring is gaining significant attention. The purpose of this work is to investigate the feasibility of a monitoring system that can be installed at each end of an OCL section which is able to detect the occurrence of a broken CW event, sending an alert to the management traffic system, so as to stop the train traffic before the damaged catenary is reached by other trains. A nonlinear dynamic analysis is employed to model the OCL’s response following a simulated CW rupture and identify a set of variables that can be measured at the line’s extremities related to the occurrence of breakage in the CW. Several locations of the rupture of a CW section along the line are simulated to investigate the influence on the time pattern of the measured variables and consequently on the extraction of a signature. Finally, a proposed measurement setup is presented, combining accelerometers and displacement transducers, instead of the direct measurement of the axial load of the OCL conductors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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35 pages, 8042 KB  
Article
Instability of a Moving Bogie: Analysis of Vibrations and Possibility of Instability in Subcritical Velocity Range
by Zuzana Dimitrovová
Vibration 2025, 8(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8020013 - 24 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 723
Abstract
This paper analyzes vibrations induced by a moving bogie passing through a single-layer railway track model. The emphasis is placed on the possibility of unstable behavior in the subcritical velocity range. All results are presented in dimensionless form to encompass a wide range [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes vibrations induced by a moving bogie passing through a single-layer railway track model. The emphasis is placed on the possibility of unstable behavior in the subcritical velocity range. All results are presented in dimensionless form to encompass a wide range of possible scenarios. The results are obtained semi-analytically, however, the only numerical step involves solving the roots of polynomial expressions. No numerical integration is used, allowing for the straightforward solution of completely undamped scenarios, as damping is not required for numerical stability. The vibration shapes are presented in the time domain in closed form. It is concluded that increased foundation damping worsens the situation. However, in general, the risk of instability in the subcritical velocity range for a moving bogie is lower than that of two moving masses, particularly for higher mass moments of inertia of the bogie bar and primary suspension damping. The study also examines how the results change when a Timoshenko-Rayleigh beam is considered instead of an Euler-Bernoulli beam. Although some cases may appear academic, it is demonstrated that instability in the supercritical velocity range cannot be assumed to be guaranteed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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Review

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36 pages, 2571 KB  
Review
Ground-Borne Vibrations Induced by Railway Traffic: Impact, Prediction, Mitigation and Future Perspectives
by Aires Colaço, Hassan Liravi, Paulo J. Soares, Jelena Ninić and Pedro Alves Costa
Vibration 2025, 8(4), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040073 - 15 Nov 2025
Viewed by 888
Abstract
Ground-borne vibrations caused by railway traffic represent a significant environmental concern, particularly in densely populated or vibration-sensitive urban areas. These phenomena can lead to discomfort and annoyance among residents, interfere with the operation of sensitive equipment, and even threaten the integrity of heritage [...] Read more.
Ground-borne vibrations caused by railway traffic represent a significant environmental concern, particularly in densely populated or vibration-sensitive urban areas. These phenomena can lead to discomfort and annoyance among residents, interfere with the operation of sensitive equipment, and even threaten the integrity of heritage sites or structurally vulnerable buildings and infrastructures. Building on these concerns, this paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge on the subject. It begins by examining the impacts of ground-borne vibrations on both people and structures, followed by an overview of the regulatory frameworks implemented in different countries to manage these effects, with a focus on four examples from Europe and North America. The review then systematically explores the key factors associated with the generation and propagation of ground-borne noise and vibrations. Furthermore, prediction methodologies are categorised into four groups—analytical and semi-analytical, numerical, empirical and AI-based models—and critically assessed. Finally, the paper reviews mitigation strategies applied at the source, along the propagation path, and at the receiver, assessing their effectiveness in reducing the identified impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Dynamics and Ground-Borne Vibrations)
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